One of the greatest thrills of the Christ-following life comes from hearing directly from God. Time and again the Scriptures tell us to be still. “Be silent, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10). Reduce your speed. Stop multitasking.
Lower the ambient noise of your life—and then
listen for God to speak.
On October 29th, I’m taking an hour to interview Bill Hybels (which will be streamed LIVE via webcast) about what listening to and obeying God can do for a leader’s soul, a church, and even a community. As I prepare for the interview, I’d love to hear your suggestions for questions to ask Bill.
If you could ask Bill Hybels one question about discerning God’s voice, what would it be?
On October 29th, I’m taking an hour to interview Bill Hybels (which will be streamed LIVE via webcast) about what listening to and obeying God can do for a leader’s soul, a church, and even a community. As I prepare for the interview, I’d love to hear your suggestions for questions to ask Bill.
If you could ask Bill Hybels one question about discerning God’s voice, what would it be?
By: Jim Mellado (@JimMellado)
President, WCA
I noticed Bill Hybels started using Twitter recently. I would ask, "What led to your relatively recent adoption of Twitter? Do you do your own tweets? In what ways do you view Twitter as a valuable tool for leadership?"
ReplyDeleteHow can I truly trust that the voice I hear is that of God's?
ReplyDeleteWhen you hear a whisper how long do you spend checking it against scripture and/or your pastoral supporters before you know it is God?
ReplyDeleteHow should a leader deal with faithful life-long church members prepared to split the congregation to keep what they're comfortable with (and risk "their church" dying) rather than embrace changes which could make the church more effective at reaching seekers, serving the community and making disciples now?
ReplyDeleteWhat are you're thoughts on contemplative prayer? Specifically getting to a place of silence then "emptying your mind" so you can hear God vs. Reading Scripture and meditating on His Word day and night. Also, what are his thoughts on closed eye exercises guiding people in prayer?
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the thoughtful comments and questions! We'll be interviewing Bill Hybels and asking some of the questions that have been posted.
ReplyDeleteKeep the questions coming and make sure you sign up to watch the webcast interview on Oct. 29th http://bit.ly/cZkWPh
I noted Bill's thoughtful "huh" in his interview with Jack Welch when he asked him how early he started his succession search at GE.
ReplyDeleteTo what extent has Bill begun to consider prayerfully his own succession process at Willow?
In those times in our lives, when the voice of Our Lord is silent, how do we proceed through these days?
ReplyDeleteHow do you discern between "good" things and the "best" things? I am constantly presented with lots of "good" opportunities, but want to give myself to the most important things. Thanks for all you do!
ReplyDeleteWhat effect do you think the Devil has on the church. do you believe in demonic activity
ReplyDeleteIn your whisper book on page 36 you talk about hearing God's whisper and the toll that it has taken on Willow, your family, ect. My question is this, presumably God called you first to your family and to Willow before this global call...so why does God's latest call pre-empt His previous calls to your life? How come God is asking you to sacrifice a previous calling in order to make this calling happen?
ReplyDeleteMy question is, "Although we are seeing a slight growth in unity of the global church, why are we not seeking this unity out more when the word's of Christ clearly tell us that he desires us to be one (John 17:20-21)? Not that we should join all denominations, but the fact that we believe in the same God, and the same Christ needs to unite us so that we can break through the walls of confusion and squabbling, and show the world that the church preaches love and unity just as Christ did.
ReplyDeleteMy question is: with the public platform God has provided Willow, what are you folks doing to expose the addictive powers of porn in our society -especially in our youth?
ReplyDeleteAnother question: with the many distracting "whispers" today people are having a lot of trouble discerning God's voice. Please provide some practical help for us. Personal "quiet" space for sure, but are there other practises we can adopt?
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has been so involved in raising up leaders for the global church, I am wondering how Bill handles his own succession issue at Willow Creek.
ReplyDeleteWhen attempting to listen for God's voice, how do we discern God's voice from our own? How do we distinguish the cries of my heart masked in 'God-speak' from what God would truly want to say to me? (previous posts have asked this question too in their own words, I guess discernment is key)
ReplyDeleteWho is Bill's mentor? And who is Bill mentoring?
ReplyDeleteBesides a pastoral review, how would a pastor gage his effectiveness in his current ministry? i.e.. If you take Jeremiah as an example, how can a leader discern whether to stay the course or to move on to another ministry?
ReplyDeleteBill Hybles, I have learned and been inspired by you at Leadership Summits and your writings.
ReplyDeleteMy questions is: When seeking God's will on a matter, how do you distinquish God's voice and direction from all other voices in the equation including your personal desires and perception?
Thanks.
norahayee@shaw.ca
What would your advice me to someone finding themselves in a lead role, the chair, on a church board?
ReplyDeletehas God ever told you to do less work at church to spend more time with your family?
ReplyDeleteWhat's something it took you a while to learn, or that you have learned recently, about helping a group to discern God's voice about something?
ReplyDeleteThe questions are wonderful! Thanks everyone! Please keep posting :) (FYI: Webcast will be on October 29th http://bit.ly/bg8qRD )
ReplyDeleteHas there been a time when you believed you heard God’s voice and after responding, you doubted that it was God’s voice you actually heard? Tell us that story.
ReplyDeleteShare some of your intentional practices that open up your heart and attune you to hearing God's voice in the midst of your everyday routines. Thanks for this webcast - looking forward to it!
ReplyDeleteI would like to know when you failed at listening to Him?
ReplyDeleteWhen did you move forward before you listened?
What are your regrets?
During the Leadership Summit you talked briefly about a health scare earlier this year. I got the impression that as a result you were rethinking some things and perhaps changing some of your priorities. Please comment and elaborate if applicable.
ReplyDeleteHow do you get the “average” Christian to continue to increase in “Love for the Lord” so that when he retires he doesn’t call it quits for his church commitment as well?
ReplyDeleteIt's been mentioned before but I am most interested in how Bill plans on succession planning his way out of Willow?
ReplyDeleteKnowing that the there is a fine line between some choices, how do I really understand that it is God's leading on my life or wether it is the sly evil one making it seem as though it is an oppurtunity to steer me on the wrong path, to slow down what God is really calling me to do?
ReplyDeleteBill, Sometimes I believe that God can speak more clearly to me through the Body of Christ (Godly friends). What are your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteWhat are your thoughts about God speaking to us in our dreams (while we sleep)?
ReplyDeleteIf there are 2 equal choices and no real discernable direction one way or the other. How do you decide which to take?
ReplyDeleteAll my life I have been very intuitive, frequently knowing significant changes are going to happen before they happen and before others know, to the point that I have thought that I have made these changes happen by thinking them. Are intuitions Whispers from God?
ReplyDeleteI haven't yet seen a question about timing. God often shows me a vision (general direction) for what's ahead, then lays out the mission (how to accomplish the vision) step by step. How do you stay in step with His timing during execution of the mission? Do you struggle with disappointment or self-doubt? What help can you give in keeping the course you know God has given?
ReplyDeleteHow can a Type A personality discern between God's voice and the echo of his/her own?
ReplyDeleteThis question has already been asked by many, and I will add one additional twist to it. It's been asked, how do I truly know if the inner voice I might hear is that of God, myself, or the enemy of my soul. It has always perplexed me as a Christian leader over the years when I read Jesus words, "My sheep know my voice..." I wish this "sheep" could beyond a doubt claim that one. but I guess I'm still in the listening/learning stage of discerning to recognize my Lord's voice, much like I would know when I hear the voice of my wife, that its her. Any tips on that one? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBill,
ReplyDeleteHow do you really discern Gods voice from your own 'self talk' when you are in prayer? How do you know it's His Holy spirit, versus getting a message or sensne of things that is rooted in your own self - wishes with His calling for your life?
Some of my fellow congregants are faithful attenders and volunteers, yet they are not on board with the vision God has given our leadership. How do I respond in cases where I've heard God's confirming whisper, but the person sitting next to me has not? -Genise Reid, Bronx, NY
ReplyDeletehow can one know the difference between GOD'S VOICE and ones own thoughts
ReplyDeleteIf you never hear God's voice, is it that we just aren't listening or is it deeper than that? Could it be a sign that we don't have true salvation?
ReplyDeletei know i have heard from God on several occasions of desperate needs and hurts. i know I hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit helping me to steer clear of temptation. At 60 yrs of age now, i still can't slow down my life to where i believe i am walking with the Holy Spirit at all times. How can I please God with my life and hear from Him in the workplace?
ReplyDeleteIs there one person in the Bible that Bill believes is a mentor to him?
ReplyDeleteDo you think we need to take the time to hear God speak and listen? Rarely (maybe with Samuel) do I read anywhere in the Bible where we are told to listen. Rather, it seems if God wants to speak, he can speak loud enough so that we can hear regardless of if we are listening (e.g. Paul's conversion). What do you think of the 'need' to listen?
ReplyDeleteIs there a difference between your own "good voice" and Gods voice? I would like to hear why Bill knew, at the beginning of his ministry, that what he's about to embark in was not a "Good Voice", but God's voice.
ReplyDeleteWhat does hearing from God FEEL like? Is there some sort of consistency to how God makes you feel when he speaks or can it vary?
ReplyDeleteHow many opportunities may God give if you do not heed his voice the first time? Does his speak in different ways until we submit or will he eventually stop?
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do when you don't doubt God's voice and the word He's spoken to your spirit has proven true, but some closest to you spiritually do not receive or embrace it?
ReplyDeleteBill, do you share God's whispers with others privately or publicly, and if so, how do you determine if it's something that should be shared? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBill,
ReplyDeleteIf the model of Samuel is the prototype example of how God speaks/whispers today what would be your guess as to the NT writer's silence on this subject?
Thanks,
Keith
How do you keep consistent in listening?
ReplyDeleteI find I have times when everything is easy and it seems like the Spirit speaks without me even having to "try to listen". And other seasons when it seems so hard to listen/hear from him even if I try.
Is hearing from the Spirit something that is clearly for all believers, as opposed to being one of the gifts of the Spirit but not for everyone?
ReplyDeleteMakes a big difference because if it's for all, then it's "good news for Christians" and I want to tell about it. But if it's not for all, while I could still share I would do so quite differently. Would not want to tell someone they "ought" to have a particular spiritual gift.
i want to gods voice clearly. How do you hear gods voice clearly.
ReplyDeleteAs a spiritual leader, how do you talk about discerning God's voice definitively in light of the theology of the cross (technical term at least within Lutheranism)?
ReplyDeleteBill, our church went through your book (used for preaching messages) and small groups.. very very good.. during this we had a problem in the church that nearly caused our worship leader's departure.. but because of a whisper, God led me to reconcile with our worship leader and bring him back into the church... the power of a whisper is huge and has been an example to those at our church in what can happen when you have an ear open to heaven.. thanks Bro!
ReplyDeleteWhat would you tell a leader to do to ensure they are hearing God when they are "desperately hungry" to hear instruction that will bring fruit? What would you offer by means of direction around: location, time investment in lieu of responsibiltiies, tools of scripture, etc., and other matters?
ReplyDeleteWHAT DOES GOD ALLOW BAD THINGS TO HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE
ReplyDeleteI just heard the Q&A of Bill Hybels and Jim Mellado about The Whisper.
ReplyDeleteI have a question about the 5 filters. In the case of Abraham sacrificing his son. That request from God did not pass at least 4 of the test. But clearly that request was from God. So how does it align with the 5 filters?
Thanks,
Anson
In Gensis Chapter "Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”"